Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have experienced storms, floods and wildfires. These types of weather emergencies are becoming more frequent and more severe with human-induced climate change. The more people start learning about why these emergencies happen, start making simple adjustments, and educating others, the better our chances at building a safer and cleaner community. Earthquakes are also experienced by Oregonians, although we have not had a large one for over 300 years. Currently, scientists predicted that we have a 37% chance of experiencing a megathrust earthquake in the next 50 years. There is good and bad news. The bad news: when the earthquake happens, we will have a matter of seconds to brace ourselves, communicate with our loved ones, and gather essential supplies that will help us survive in the weeks or months to follow. The good news: you can start planning as soon as right now at no cost, and look forward to feeling better about preparing over time.
ROSE acknowledges the shared responsibility to expand the community awareness of emergency preparedness. In the following tabs, you will find information on how to prepare for emergencies, links to additional resources, projects currently being worked on, and how to connect with us.
Learn About the Hazards in Your Area
Knowledge is power. Expecting the unexpected and acting accordingly is one of the best things you can do for you and your loved ones.
Different places have different risks. You can find out which hazards are most likely to happen in your area here: https://www.publicalerts.org/hazards. Local emergency management agencies and fire departments can help you identify the best ways to prepare for the emergencies that pose a threat to your safety. See more under Community Resources.
Sharing what you’ve learned will be critical when you have conversations with your family, friends and neighbors, and when you begin to make your emergency plan.
Sign up for Alerts and Warnings
Signing up for alerts and warnings is a good first step in your preparedness journey and is the easiest way to know what is happening in your area.
There are several ways to sign up:
For Oregon residents, visit www.oralert.gov to sign up for local emergency alerts.
Ensure your cell phone can accept Wireless Emergency Alerts.
For Apple devices:
For Android devices:
Additional Alerts:
Start a Conversation with Your Loved Ones
Even though it’s a tough topic, it is easier to talk about it before you’re in the middle of an emergency.”
Make a Written Plan
Creating an emergency plan is an important task that should involve many people such as your family, friends and neighbors.
Tip: Writing down your emergency plan is the best way to prepare. Use this easy fillable form to create your plan.
1. Make a Household Communication Plan:
Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it’s important to know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Here are some important things to consider in your communication plan:
2. Create an Emergency Plan:
Put a plan together by discussing the questions below:
Plan with Neighbors
In times of need, it’s always nice to have a community to lean on.
There is always something to learn from our neighbors about emergency planning, and often we have similar concerns about how best to prepare. Voicing these concerns and sharing different ideas brings us together to create better plans and new networks of communication. The more people who are aware of your plan, the greater your chances of connecting with resources you need if a disaster strikes.
ROSE Community Development is currently in the planning stage of coordinating events, workshops, and other useful activities that will support resident resilience with emergency preparedness and encourage collaboration with neighbors and community partners.
Ways to stay informed about upcoming events:
Become Familiar with Local Resources
Community resources are here for you. Knowing what is available may help ease the stress of preparing for and dealing with an emergency.
Keeping up to date with the latest developments can save lives. Identify where you can access reliable information so you can make informed decisions before, during, and after a disaster. See more under Community Resources.
Assemble or Update Go-Kit Supplies
An effective way to remember what to put in your go-kit, is to think about the Six Ps:
Visit www.ready.gov and www.redcross.org for more recommended emergency kit items.
In addition to the Six Ps, take the time to think about the possibility of sheltering in place. Disaster preparedness means having enough supplies for everyone in the household to survive for two weeks without electricity, running water and working toilets. Reach out to your local resources for any assistance needed. See more under Know How to Shelter in Place and Community Resources.
Practice Emergency Drills
It’s better to know which parts of your plan won’t work before a disaster happens.
Once you have a plan, practice it! This is the best way to know that your plan will work.
Here are some ways you can practice:
Know How to Shelter in Place
Oregon recommends us be 2 Weeks Ready. That means be prepared to survive without normal access to basic resources for two weeks.
You’ll need to have enough supplies for everyone in the household to survive for two weeks without electricity, running water and working toilets. Reach out to your local resources for any assistance needed.
Whether you are at home, work or anywhere else that you find yourself on a regular basis, there may be situations when it’s best to stay where you are and avoid any uncertainty outside.
Here are some tips for sheltering in place:
Note: Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do.
“Sealing a room” is considered a temporary protective measure to create a barrier between you and potentially contaminated air outside. This type of sheltering in place requires pre-planning, by purchasing plastic sheeting and duct tape that you would keep in your emergency kit.
Safeguard Documents
Taking steps to safeguard your documents before an emergency strikes can save you a lot of stress and hassle.
Once immediate danger has passed, having your financial and medical records and important contact information will be crucial to help you start the recovery process quickly. Taking time now to safeguard these critical documents will give you peace of mind, ensure you have access to essential medical and prescription information, and help you avoid additional stress during the difficult days following a disaster.
In addition, take the time now to think about the priceless personal items you would want to protect from damage or take with you if you had to suddenly evacuate your home.
Make Your Home Safer
If an earthquake hits, anything that can move, break, or fall is a potential hazard.
Here are some recommendations for reducing earthquake hazards in your home:
Temperature-related deaths attributed to cold exposure
Increase in heat-related deaths in the U.S. since 2021
Have a question about the content on this page or an upcoming event? Want to share an event idea for emergency preparedness? Feel free to contact Cheyenne about all things related to disaster readiness.
(503) 785-9974
[email protected]